Cats & Grass, Why The Obsession?

Cats have some quirky habits. One that is a bit weird to us humans, who don’t prefer to seek out foods that make us vomit, is when cats actively feed on grass just to regurgitate it a little while later.

So, why is it that cats do this strange activity? No matter how much you try and stop them, they will keep going to the grass, but not because they enjoy making themselves sick. It is true that cats will usually regurgitate the contents of their stomach and the grass shortly after consuming the green laxative, but there are other nutritional values as well.

Grass does in fact serve as a natural laxative for cats. If a cat is struggling to pass a hairball, eating grass will help dislodge it. Grass also helps soothe a sick stomach, relieve aches, and relieve inflammation in their throats. Aside from these healing qualities, a cat may also eat grass for a healthy and balanced diet by adding the roughage.

Cats have an inability to separate meat from the fur, bone and feathers of their prey. When they consume their meal, they digest what they can and then usually chomp on some greenery to regurgitate what they are unable to digest. This is especially true with outdoor cats, or indoor cats who hunt regularly as a means of food.

You may notice your indoor cat, who does not have unlimited access to grass, always eager to consume grass once they’ve reached the great outdoors. This usually is a result of your cat being deficient in the folic acid that grass provides for them. Without proper amounts of folic acid in your cat’s diet, they may have stunted growth and anaemia.

Grass in small amounts is perfectly healthy for your cat. However if you notice your cat binge grass-eating, or over-eating grass constantly, take them to your vet for a check-up. Cats go to grass to solve feeling sick, but if they are constantly eating it they may need more help than grass can provide for them.

Indoor cats may seek out your house plants if they don’t have access to grass. This can potentially be hazardous to your moggy, especially if the plant is poisonous to them. By planting a little patch of grass for your cat to enjoy inside, they should stay off your plants. After all, cat pruning doesn’t exactly leave the plants looking better.

For Further Information:
The Cat Grass Is Always Greener
Why Do Cats Eat Grass?